The Football Ferns celebrate their historic win against Norway in FIFA Women’s World Cup Group A. Photo credit: New Zealand Football via Twitter.
All teams in FIFA Women’s World Cup Group A have now played two matches. Philippines’s upset win over Aotearoa New Zealand and the goalless stalemate between Norway and Switzerland have set up an intriguing finish to the group. As it stands, any of the four teams can still qualify for the knockout stages, and no team is safe. As well as this, Norway are the only team who can’t claim the top spot.
How things stand
Switzerland currently lead the group on four points, with one win and a draw. They have a goal difference of positive two, scoring two goals and conceding none.
Aoteaora New Zealand sit in second on goal difference. They have three points, from one win and a loss. Their goal difference is zero, having scored one goal and conceding one.
Philippines’s historic win has put them in third. They also have three points, from one win and a loss. They only sit in third on their goal difference – which is negative one after scoring one goal and conceding two.
Finally, Norway will feel somewhat surprised to find themselves last in the group. They only have one point, coming from a draw and a loss. Norway’s goal difference is also negative one, with no goals scored and one conceded.
If teams finish equal on points, the tie breakers are as follows:
- Goal difference.
- Goals scored.
- Head to head.
- Fair play record.
If teams still can’t be separated, lots will be drawn to determine who advances to the next round.
Switzerland and Aotearoa face off in Dunedin, while Philippines take on Norway in Auckland. What do each of these teams need to do to qualify for the Round of 16?
Norway win, Switzerland win
Switzerland would finish first on seven points, and Norway second on four.
Philippines win, Switzerland win
Switzerland would finish first on seven points, and Philippines second on six.
Aotearoa win, Philippines win
Both teams would qualify on six points. Order would depend on goal difference. Aotearoa currently have the superior goal difference. Philippines winning by at least one more goal than Aotearoa would see them finish first.
Norway win, Aotearoa win
Aotearoa would finish first on six points. Norway and Switzerland would both finish on four points. Second place would come down to goal difference and Switzerland currently have the upper hand.
Norway and Philippines draw, Aotearoa win
Aotearoa would finish first on six points. Philippines and Switzerland would both be on four points. Switzerland currently have the edge on all of the tiebreakers.
Norway and Philippines draw, Switzerland win
Switzerland finish first on seven points, Philippines second on four.
Norway and Philippines draw, Aotearoa and Switzerland draw
Switzerland finish first on five points. Both Aotearoa and Philippines finish on four points, but Aotearoa advance on goal difference.
Norway win, Aotearoa and Switzerland draw
Switzerland finish first on five points. Norway and Aotearoa finish equal on four points. Aotearoa currently have the superior goal difference, but a two goal win for Norway would be enough for them to overtake Aotearoa.
Aotearoa and Switzerland draw, Philippines win
Philippines finish first on six points, and Switzerland second on five.
Both matches will be played at the same time – 7pm on Sunday 30 July (local time). We should be in for a cracking finish to FIFA Women’s World Cup Group A, and it seems likely the group standings will change multiple times throughout the matches.
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